Sprint training exercise system and method

ABSTRACT

An exercise system and method may be used by a variety of animals, including horses, dogs and humans, for conditioning an animal to run faster. An exercise track is defined by two spaced-apart railings. Each railing slidably carries a restraining device for providing a net force restraining an animal running on the exercise track. A harness conveys the net force from the restraining devices to the animal. An animal using the present invention may be conditioned to run at its full speed while being held back by the net restraining force, and is thereby conditioned to run faster when not so restrained. The restraining force may be generally parallel to the center line of the track on which the animal is running, and may be constant or varied. The restraining force may be created by suitable braking devices using aerodynamic drag, friction, magnetic resistance and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exercise system and method fortraining animals to increase their running speed. More particularly, itrelates to an exercise system and method wherein a restraining force isapplied to a running animal to condition the animal to be able to run athigher speeds when the force is removed.

As used herein, the term "animal" refers to any animal amenable totraining to increase running speed and includes, without limitation,horses, dogs and humans.

When an animal's body is repeatedly subjected to a strenuous physicalactivity which may tax both the musculatory and cardiovascular system,the body adapts and becomes conditioned to the repeated activity so thatit can more efficiently perform the activity. For example, sprintersdevelop great leg strength and muscle mass because they must acceleratetheir whole body to high speeds quickly. Conversely, a marathon runnerdevelops legs with leaner muscles because it is not energy efficient fora marathoner to carry a sprinter's physique for long distances.

In order to condition an animal to perform at a level beyond its currentcapability, the animal may engage in strenuous activity that exceeds itscurrent level of conditioning. For example, a marathoner who wishes toimprove his time may run longer distances in training than actually runin competition. The body will cardiovascularly adapt to accommodate therunner for a longer distance. The runner may then run a shorter distancefaster than before the body underwent the cardiovascular adaptation.

This conditioning method, however, is not adaptable to animals whosprint at full speed, such as race horses, greyhounds and humans whorace short distances. Obviously, animals that are being trained to runfaster cannot condition their bodies by running faster than theircurrent capability.

Weight training may be used by a sprinter to increase leg strength, butweight training has been shown to have a counterproductive affect. Legexercises using free weight machines must be performed slowly due to theinertia of the weights. The increased strength which can come fromincreased muscle mass is not thereby optimized for speed motions. Thatis, the increased strength does not come with an equal increase inspeed.

Further, the exercise movements performed while weight training cannotmimic the complex motion of the sprinter's body while actuallysprinting. The sprinter's optimum muscular mechanical balance for speedcan easily be disrupted after muscle tissues become stronger due toadaptation to the slow speed weight training. This disruptive effectrequires a sprinter to continually train by sprinting in order tomaintain their speed and muscular balance. Obviously, a closelymonitored training program is required in order to maintain the balanceof strength and speed. Further, not all animals are amenable to weighttraining, such as horses, dogs and some humans.

Techniques other than weight training are known that may increase ahuman's running speed. For example, the runner may be pulled by a car orwinch. Such systems may not allow the runner to have a natural runningmotion because the runner's hands are restrained by holding the pullingdevice. Such systems are also inherently unsafe because the runner mayfall and be dragged and are not adaptable to horses and dogs. (See U.S.Pat. No. 4,469,324, issued Sept. 4, 1984, to Dolan and U.S. Pat. No.4,334,677, issued June 15, 1982, to Tata.)

It is also known that a runner's body may be restrained while running.Such systems, however, may also restrict the runner's natural runningmotion and may be operationally limited by the length of the restraint.(See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,794, issued July 9, 1985, to Dunnand U.S. Pat. No. 3,519,269, issued July 7, 1970, to Howlett, et al.)

It is further known to use a device which sequentially pulls andrestrains a human runner in different portions of the run. As with theseparate pulling and restraining devices, the length of the run is fixedby the length of the pulling and/or restraining cables. (See, forexample, Russian Patent No. 766,608 dated Sept. 30, 1980.)

These devices have a further significant disadvantage. Each of thepulling or restraining devices provides a force which tends to bring therunner back to the center line of the track on which he is running. Thatis, the runner cannot use the full width of the track withoutencountering a force tending to bring him back to the center of thetrack. This force is perpendicular to the runner's direction of motionand may disrupt the normal running motion of a sprinting animal.Moreover, the force may actually train horses and dogs to stay in thecenter of the track, countering their training and/or instincts to runon the inside of a turn.

Other devices are known that provide less intense exercise. In the horsetraining art, for example, it is known to use a railing mounted deviceto pull a horse around on an exercise track. Such devices, however, arenot designed for speed training and do not condition the animal toperform at a level beyond that for which he is currently conditioned.They are merely replacements for a trainer or groom who would normallybe used to exercise the animal. (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.4,619,222, issued Oct. 28, 1986, to Sundberg, et al., U.S. Pat. No.4,232,630, issued Nov. 11, 1980, to Orlowski, et al., U.S. Pat. No.4,138,966, issued Feb. 13, 1979, to Hesnault and U.S. Pat. No.3,965,866, issued June 29, 1976, to Lorentz, et al.)

Other devices are known which restrict an animal to a particularlocation. Such devices are also not designed for speed training andinclude a restraining force that tends to pull the animal toward thecenter line of the exercise area. (See for example, U.S. Pat. No.3,203,399 issued Aug. 31, 1965 to Banks.)

The exercise system and method of the present invention resolves many ofthe problems of the prior art and may be safely used by a variety ofanimals. The system generally includes two railings defining an exercisetrack therebetween. Each railing slidably carries a restraining devicefor jointly providing a net restraining force to an animal running onthe exercise track. A harness is carried by the animal and is attachedto the restraining devices to convey the net restraining force to theanimal.

An animal using the present invention is conditioned to run at or nearits full speed while being restrained by the restraining force. That is,the animal is sprinting while exceeding its current level ofconditioning. When the restraint is removed, the animal's performance isthereby improved.

Each of the rail carried restraining devices may be adjusted toeliminate, or at least substantially reduce, the net of forcesperpendicular to the center line of the track and thereby maintain thenet restraining force generally parallel to the center line. The netrestraining force also may be constant or varied by a trainer to fit aparticular training program.

Various techniques may be used to provide the restraining force,including suitable braking devices using aerodynamic drag, friction,magnetic resistance and the like.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide thenovel sprint training exercise system for an animal which obviates theproblem of the prior art and is safe to use by a variety of runninganimals.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel sprinttraining exercise system for an animal with a net restraining force thatis parallel to the center line of the track the animal is using.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novelsprint training exercise system for an animal with an endless runningtrack.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novelsprint training exercise system for an animal with a net restrainingforce provided by braking devices movably carried by railings definingthe animal's running track.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novelsprint training exercise system for an animal with an aerodynamicbraking device.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide amethod for increasing the running speed of the animal that restrains theanimal with a moveable restraining device.

These and many other objects and advantages will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art to which the invention pertains from a perusalof the claims, the appended drawings and the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments.

THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1A is an overhead schematic depiction of an oval track embodyingthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1illustrating the lines of force encountered by an animal running on thecenter line of the exercise track.

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1illustrating the forces encountered by an animal running off the centerline of the exercise track when the forces are not corrected.

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1illustrating the forces encountered by an animal running off of thecenter line of the exercise track when the forces are corrected.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial illustration of an embodiment of the presentinvention adaptable to a large animal such as a horse.

FIG. 6 is a pictorial depiction of a horse wearing the harness shown inFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial depiction of the V-shaped rig of the harness shownin FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a pictorial depiction of the detection device in the harnessof the embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8A is a schematic drawing of the detection device shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a pictorial depiction of the cable run in the harness shown inFIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a pictorial depiction of the connection of the movement armto the V-shaped rig in the harness shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a pictorial depiction of the operation of the pivoting devicein the harness shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 12A and B are pictorial depictions of embodiments of the shockabsorption portion of the tether of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a pictorial depiction of a side view of an aerodynamicrestraining device of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a pictorial depiction of a side view of the aerodynamicrestraining device shown in FIG. 13 illustrating the operation of thelouvers.

FIG. 15 is a pictorial depiction of a side view of the aerodynamicrestraining device shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a partial pictorial and partial schematic of a front view ofthe aerodynamic restraining device shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a partial pictorial depiction of a front view of the rollersand railing of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a partial pictorial depiction of a front view of the rollersand railing of the embodiment of FIG. 17 illustrating the interiorthereof.

FIG. 19 is a pictorial depiction of an embodiment of the presentinvention in operation.

FIG. 20 is an overhead pictorial depiction of an embodiment of thepresent invention adaptable to a small animal, such as a dog,illustrating two movement arms.

FIG. 21 is an overhead pictorial depiction of an embodiment of thepresent invention adaptable to a small animal, such as a humanillustrating one movement arm.

FIG. 22 is a partial overhead pictorial depiction of a restrainingdevice in the present application with movement arm carried thereon.

FIG. 23 is a partial pictorial and partial schematic of a side view ofthe restraining device of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a partial schematic and partial pictorial depiction of arestraining device of the present invention illustrating a frictionbrake.

FIG. 25 is a partial schematic and partial pictorial depiction of arestraining device of the present invention illustrating the restrainingdevice coupled to the railing.

FIG. 26 is a front view of a schematic of an embodiment of the magneticrestraining device of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a partial pictorial depiction of an alternative embodiment ofthe rollers of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a partial pictorial depiction of another alternativeembodiment of the rollers and railing of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a pictorial depiction of an alternative embodiment of therailing of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a pictorial depiction of a alternative embodiment of therestraining device of the present invention illustrating an extensionarm.

FIG. 31 is a partial pictorial and partial schematic depiction of arailing cleaner of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the figures where like elements have been givenlike a numerical designation to facilitate an understanding of thepresent invention, and particularly with reference to the embodiment ofthe sprint training exercise system of the present invention illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 1A, the present invention may include an exercise track10 defined by two spaced-apart railings 15, restraining devices 20slideably carried by the railings 15 and a harness device 25 forcoupling the restraining devices to an animal on the exercise track 10.The restraining devices 20 produce a net restraining force opposingmotion of the animal running on the exercise track.

Each restraining device may include means for resisting its movementalong the underlying railing. The resistance to movement in each devicemay be depicted as a force vector coincident with the railing andgenerally opposite to the direction of motion of the animal. In thepresent invention, the two force vectors are moved to the location ofthe animal by the harness device and combined into a net restrainingforce that is conveyed to the animal. Movement of the two force vectorsfrom the railings to the animal introduces two lateral force vectorsgenerally perpendicular to the railings that may also act upon theanimal. It is desirable that the lateral force vectors substantiallyoffset each other, and to that end the resistance to movement in eachrestraining device may be varied appropriately.

The operation of the present invention may be more clearly seen withreference to FIGS. 2 through 4. As may be seen therein, an animalrunning on the exercise track 10 pulls the restraining devices 20slideably carried by the railings 15. The restraining devices 20 createforces F1 and F2 which are independent and may be varied. The vector sumof F1 and F2 is the net restraining force Fr. Each of the forces F1 andF2 includes a lateral component perpendicular to the railings, F3 and F4respectively. When an animal is running on the center line of theexercise track and forces F1 and F2 are equal, the force F3 and F4 arealso equal and offsetting and the animal is not pulled to either side ofthe track. That is, Fr is parallel to the center line of the exercisetrack, the center line being defined as an imaginary line midway betweenthe spaced part railings 15.

As may be seen in FIG. 3, when an animal runs off of the center line ofthe track and when the magnitudes of forces F1 and F2 are equal, the netrestraining force Fr is no longer parallel to the center line of thetrack because the magnitude of lateral component F3 is larger than themagnitude of lateral component F4. If the magnitude of forces F3 and F4are not equal, the resultant imbalance may pull the animal off balance,disrupting the animal's rhythm and endangering its safety.

With reference now to FIG. 4, when the imbalance illustrated in FIG. 3is detected, the magnitudes of forces F1 and F2 may be adjusted torealign the net restraining force Fr parallel to the center line of theexercise track 10. That is, lateral components F3 and F4 are againoffsetting.

It is readily apparent that the magnitudes of forces F1 and F2 may alsobe adjusted to set or maintain a particular net restraining force Fr. Frmay also be varied to fit a training program.

The exercise track 10 defined by the railings 15 may be straight orcurved and may be endless, such as found in conventional oval horseracing, greyhound, or running tracks. See, for example, the track 10 inFIG. 1A. The railings 15 may take any form, and each may include agenerally continuous surface to slideably carry the restraining deviceswithout appreciable frictional resistance. The railings 15 should havesufficient structural strength to oppose forces F3 and F4.

With reference now to FIG. 5, wherein an embodiment of the presentinvention that may be used with a large animal such as a horse isillustrated, the present invention may include a harness 30 for a largeanimal, tethers 35 attaching the harness 30 to restraining devices 40and a detection device 45 for sensing the net restraining force Fr andthe net of lateral forces F3 and F4. The embodiment for a large animalmay also include a transmitter 50 for transmitting force correctionsignals to the restraining devices 40 when the lateral forces F3 and F4do not offset and when the net restraining force Fr varies from adesired value. Such transmission may be direct to a receiver 55 in therestraining devices 40 or through a control console 60 that may beoperated by a trainer. Transmission may be accomplished by anyappropriate method, such as via radio or a wire carried by tether 35.

In addition to relaying lateral and restraining force information to therestraining devices, the control console 60 may be used to control themagnitude of the net restraining force Fr during various stages of ananimal's training run. For example, a trainer may use the console 60 tovary Fr during the animal's run to fit a particular training program.

The harness 30 may convey the net restraining force Fr to the animal insuch a way that the animal is not encumbered by an element that mayhinder the animal's normal running motion and its ability to reachmaximum running speed. Such harnesses are generally known in the horseracing art and may include, without limitation, conventional harnessesused with jockey-ridden horses, sulkies and the like. As may be seen inFIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the harness 30 may include a lightweight V-shaped rig65 and an attachment device 70 for attaching the rig 65 to the animal,such as a strap or a front piece that covers the front of the animal(not shown). The attachment device 70 may disperse the restraining forceover the chest of the animal. The rig 65 may be attached to theattachment device 70 just below the stirrup 75. The connector 80 betweenthe rig 65 and the attachment device 70 may be pivoted so that the apexof the V-shaped rig 65 may be relatively stable vertically when thehorse is running. A strap 85 may be used to support the rig 65 when thehorse is not running. Appropriate padding such as flank pads 90 may beadded as necessary.

With further reference to FIG. 7, the rig 65 may be adjustable tovarious sizes of large animals and may be constructed of graphitecomposites to be lightweight. The rig 65 may include sliding members 95with appropriate apertures 100 through which a pin may be placed to setthe size of the rig 65. The connector 80 between the rig 65 and theattachment device 70 may include a plate 105 attached to device 70 justbelow the stirrup 80 and a pivoting unit 110 removably attached to plate105 that allows the front of the rig 65 to move freely responsive toanimal movement, while allowing the rear of the rig to remain relativelystable. The pivoting unit 110 may include a face plate 115 rotating onbearings and a hinge 120. This arrangement prevents the application oftorque to plate 105 when the animal is not aligned with the rig 65(e.g., when the animal yaws or pitches relative to the rig).

With reference now to FIG. 8, the detection device 45 may includeindependently moveable arms 125 and a sensor 130 for detecting angulardisplacement of the moveable arms 125. The sensor 130 may also be usedto sense the restraining force Fr. The arms 125 may move laterallyresponsive to motion of the animal away from the center line of theexercise track. The sensor 130 may sense the angular displacement of thearms 125 and the net restraining force Fr and translate this informationinto a data signal. The data signal may take any form, such as analog ordigital. The information in the data signal may be used by therestraining devices to adjust the forces F1 and F2 to maintain Frparallel to the center line and/or to adjust the magnitude of Fr. As maybe seen in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 the data signal from the sensor may berouted via cable 135 to transmitter 50. The cable 135 may run inside therig 65.

With reference now to FIG. 8A sensor 130 may include restraining forcepressure sensors 131 and lateral force pressure sensors 132. Throughpressure sensors 131 and 132, the movement of each arm 125 may bemonitored electronically to sense lateral and restraining forces.

Alternatively, the moveable arm 125 may, as seen in FIG. 7, be Y-shapedwith a single point of attachment to the sensor 130. Pressure sensorssimilar to those shown in FIG. 8A may be used to sense lateral andrestraining and forces.

To improve the accuracy of the detection device 45 it is desirable thatthe movement arm 125 remain generally horizontal. To this end, theconnection between the rig 65 and the arm 125 may include a pivotingunit 140. As may be seen more clearly in FIG. 10, pivoting unit 140 mayinclude a face plate 145 rotating on bearings and a hinge 150. Theaction of pivoting unit 140 may be more clearly seen in FIG. 11illustrating a horse leaning while moving on the exercise track 10.

With reference now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the tether 35 may include aflexible non-elastic cable 155. Additionally, to buffer the animal fromany effects of sudden acceleration or deceleration, the tether 45 mayinclude an elastic portion 160 that may be single-stranded ormulti-stranded with a pulley 165 to ensure all strands respond equally.Tether length is dependent on the width of the track 10. Each tether ispreferably as long as the track is wide to afford freedom of movement tothe animal.

Further, tether length is also a factor in determining the magnitude ofthe force required to be produced by each restraining device. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 2, if angle A were smaller than showntherein (as when the tethers are shorter than shown), F1 and F2 wouldhave to be larger than shown to produce the same Fr. Thus, longertethers reduce the magnitude of the forces required to be produced bythe restraining devices.

The restraining devices 40 each may include a brake for creating theforces F1 and F2. Each of the brakes may use a suitable braking deviceto create the forces F1 and F2 including, without limitation, a devicethat does not interact with the railings, such as one that createsaerodynamic drag or friction with the ground, a device that interactswith the railing to create friction, and a device that is propelled inthe direction opposite to animal movement by conventional power sourcesor by linear induction (see, for example, the magnetic levitation systemdescribed in "All Aboard for the Future Express" in Signal, May 1988 atpage 69). The aerodynamic brake is simple to build and maintain and isaccordingly preferred.

As may be seen in FIGS. 13-16, an aerodynamic brake may include multiplemovable louvers 170 and a frame 175. The frame may be slideably carriedon railing 15 with appropriate rollers 180 and may be attached to tether35. The frame and louvers may be streamlined so as to produce as littleaerodynamic resistance as possible when the louvers are horizontal, asshown in FIG. 13. The frame and louvers may be constructed oflightweight composite materials. The angle of attack of each louver 170(i.e. the angular difference between the chord 185 of a louver and thedirection of the air reaching the louver) may be adjusted to vary theforces F1 and F2 provided by the restraining means. The maximum forcemay be provided by the restraining means 40 when the louvers have a 90°angle of attack (i.e., they are vertical), as may be seen in FIG. 14.Aerodynamic brakes have been found to create effective trainingresistance with running speeds of ten miles per hour or more.

The size of the aerodynamic brakes depends on the particularapplication. For example, a training program for a horse may requirethat the horse be subjected to about 70 pounds of net restraining forcewhen traveling at about 30 miles per hour. To this end, each aerodynamicbrake (such as the one illustrated in FIG. 16) should generate about 35pounds of drag. When the drag coefficient C_(D), of the aerodynamicbrake is known (for the brake in FIG. 16, C_(D) =1.4), the surface areamay be calculated using techniques known in the art. In this example,the surface area of each brake should be about 11 square feet to produce70 pounds of net restraining force at 30 miles per hour.

A more detailed view of the restraining device 40 may be seen in FIGS.15 and 16. Receiver 190 receives data signals from transmitter 50 orfrom control console 60 and responds by sending an appropriateelectrical signal to servo 195. Such servos are known, for example, inradio-controlled model airplanes. The servo 195 controls movement of thelouvers 170 through push rods 200. Pairs of louvers 170 may be movedoppositely in tandem so as not to create lift when the louvers are movedbeyond horizontal. (See, for example, the louver position in FIG. 15).

The restraining device 40 may also include a friction brake for use whenrequired. For example, the friction brake may be used when the animal isrunning too slowly to provide sufficient wind resistance. The frictionbrake may also be used to stop the restraining device when the animalstops suddenly so that the restraining device 40 does not run past thestopped animal. The friction brake may be set to engage automatically insuch an event. A friction brake may include a second servo 205, a secondpush rod 210, and a braking lever 215 to frictionally engage one of therollers 180 and/or rail 15.

An embodiment of the railing 15, rollers 180 and lower portion of theframe 175 may be more clearly seen with reference to FIG. 17. The axle220 of each roller 180 may be slideably carried on support arms 225 thatmay have springs 230 to cushion the ride of the restraining deviceagainst railing abnormalities.

Power for the servos 195 and 205 may be provided by small batteries (notshown) or, with reference to FIG. 18, with a rail-carried conductivestrip 235 that may convey electric power to the service when the strip235 is wiped by a frame-carried wiper 240.

Operation of the present invention may be more clearly seen withreference to FIG. 19 illustrating a horse using an embodiment of thepresent invention with restraining devices providing aerodynamic drag.In this embodiment, the width of track 10 may be 40 feet or more.Tethers 35 may have lengths equal or greater than track width.

Under some circumstances it may be uncomfortable or impossible for theanimal to carry the detection device and transmitter describedheretofore. Accordingly, and in an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention that may be suitable for smaller animals as well as largeanimals as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, a device for sensing Fr and lateralforces F3 and F4 may be located in the restraining devices, rather thanthe harness. A small and relatively simple harness 245 without adetection device and transmitter may be used. The harness may be of thetype known in the art and may include belt 250 or vest 255 withappropriate detachable attachment devices 260. A tether 265 may beattached to moveable arm 270 carried by the restraining device 275 inthis embodiment. As may be seen in FIGS. 20 and 21, one or two movingarms may be used.

When the animal is very small, such as a dog, the harness desirablydistributes the restraining force over as much of the body as possible.To this end, a vest may be preferred for very small animals. The harnessmay include pivoting units, such as disclosed for the large animalharness, to avoid entanglement and afford greater freedom of movement.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 21 the location of the running animaland the restraining force applied to it may be determined by a singlearm 270 attached to a restraining device 280 that transmits restrainingdevice 285 (not having a moveable arm) animal location informationand/or commands to change the force provided by device 285. The locationof the animal relative to the railings may be determined when the lengthof the tether 265 is known and the angle between the movement arm andthe railing is determined.

As may be seen in FIGS. 22 and 23, the restraining devices with movementarms may include a position and force sensor 290, a computer 295 tocompute the location of the animal and to calculate the forces F1 and F2to be created by each of the restraining devices, a radio receiver 300able to receive commands from the control console 60 for adjusting themagnitude of the restraining force Fr, and, if needed, transmitter 305to transmit data or commands to restraining device 285. The position andforce sensor 290 may provide an angular displacement data signal to thecomputer 295 that, knowing the length of the tether, computes theanimal's location. The sensor 290 may also sense lateral and restrainingforces conveyed by the tether. The computer may then solve the problemdiscussed in relation to FIGS. 2-4 and provide signals to therestraining devices to adjust their respective forces F1 and F2 tomaintain Fr parallel to the center line of the track and to set andmaintain the magnitude of Fr.

The present invention may use friction brakes to replace the aerodynamicbrakes previously discussed. For example, disc brakes may be used toslow the motion of the rollers on the railing. As may be seen in FIG.24, the rollers 310 may be connected with appropriate gear mechanism 315to a disc brake assembly 320 having moveable disc pads 325 controlled bya computer 330 for determining the appropriate resistance to apply tothe restraining device 335. Power for the unit may be supplied bybatteries (not shown) or by conductive strips 340 and wipers 345. Areceiver 347 may also be provided to receive commands from console 60and/or transmitter 50.

Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 25 the restraining device 350 may becoupled directly to the rail 355, such as through gear 360. The gear 360may run in a groove 365 in the railing 355. The groove may contain achain such as a bicycle chain (not shown) or a belt which is grooved sothat the gear 360 is directly coupled to the rail 355. Alternatively,the groove 365 may include plural transverse grooves (not shown) tomatch those in the gear 360, whereby the gear 360 engages the transversegrooves as the restraining device 350 is pulled by the animal over therail 355. The gear 365, in turn, may drive belt 370 which may be coupledto an electromechanical braking system 375. The electromechanicalbraking system 375 may be of the type known in the art which preciselycontrols movement of the belt 370, as in the LIFE CYCLE, for example. Asthe electromechanical braking system may require more power that theprevious embodiments this embodiment may be most efficiently used withthe conductive wire and wiper technique disclosed in relation to FIG.24.

The restraining device may include a linear induction system to provideresistance to movement. As is known, electromagnetic devices can be usedto propel vehicles on a track. Such devices may also be used to providea restraining force by propelling the restraining devices in thedirection opposite the direction the animal is running. As may be seenin FIG. 26, such a system may include a linear induction motor 377carried by the railing. A frame 379 with roller 381 may be carried bythe railing and carry magnets 383 for reacting to the motor 377, therebyproducing a force directed opposite to movement of an animal on thetrack.

The arrangement of the railing and the rollers in the restrainingdevices may be varied to suit the particular application inconsideration of the environment and to keep the rollers clean and freemoving. As may be seen in FIGS. 27 and 28, for example, the arrangementof the railing 15 and the number and location of the rollers 280 may bevaried without limitation.

It may be appropriate in some applications to provide a restrainingforce that includes a vertical force vector pulling down on the animalat the point of attachment to provide better traction. Such a force maybe needed when, for example, an animal is unable to create the addedtraction needed to pull the additional load imposed by the restrainingdevices. To this end, the restraining device may be mounted on or nearthe ground as shown in FIG. 29 or the restraining device may include anextension arm 385 as shown in FIG. 30. While the low railing shown inFIG. 29 may be more susceptible than a high railing to an increasedamount of dirt and debris, it may be less susceptible to winds that mayeffect an aerodynamic restraining device.

With reference to FIG. 31 the system of the present invention may alsoinclude a rail cleaning device that includes a propulsion device 390 andrail cleaners 395, such as brushes.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been describedit is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrativeonly and that the scope of the invention is to be defined solely by theappended claims when accorded a full range of equivalents manyvariations and modifications naturally occurring to those skilled in theart from a perusal hereof.

I claim:
 1. An exercise system for restraining a moving animalcomprising:(a) two spaced-apart railings defining an exercise tracktherebetween; (b) two restraining means, each slidably carried by one ofsaid two spaced-apart railings for providing a net restraining force;and (c) harness means for restraining an animal moving on said exercisetrack, and attached to said two restraining means and adapted to be wornby an animal so that the net restraining force is conveyed to a movinganimal wearing said harness means on said exercise track.
 2. The systemas defined in claim 1 further comprising aligning means for aligning thenet restraining force generally parallel to the center line of said twospaced-apart railings.
 3. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein saidaligning means comprises: detection means for sensing the forcesconveyed to an animal wearing said harness means that are perpendicularto said center line; and regulation means for regulating each of saidtwo restraining means responsive to the sensed perpendicular forces sothat the net restraining force is aligned generally parallel to saidcenter line.
 4. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein said aligningmeans comprises control means for controlling the magnitude of the netrestraining force.
 5. The system as defined in claim 4 wherein saidcontrol means comprises force adjusting means for adjusting themagnitude of the net restraining force during movement of an animalwearing said harness means on said exercise track.
 6. The system asdefined in claim 1 further comprising control means for controlling themagnitude of the net restraining force.
 7. The system as defined inclaim 6 wherein said control means comprises means for adjusting each ofsaid two restraining means so that the magnitude of the net restrainingforce is controlled.
 8. The system as defined in claim 6 wherein saidcontrol means comprises force adjusting means for adjusting themagnitude of the net restraining force during animal exercise on saidexercise track.
 9. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein at least oneof said two restraining means comprises a brake for creating a variableamount of resistance to movement of one of said two restraining means,said resistance not being created by interaction of said brake with oneof said two railings.
 10. The system as defined in claim 9 wherein saidbrake comprises an aerodynamic brake for creating a variable amount ofaerodynamic drag.
 11. The system as defined in claim 9 furthercomprising a second brake for creating further resistance to movement ofone of said two restraining means by interacting with one of said tworailings.
 12. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one ofsaid two restraining means comprises a brake for creating a variableamount of resistance to movement of one of said two restraining means,said resistance being created by interaction of said brake with one ofsaid two railings.
 13. The system as defined in claim 12 wherein saidbrake comprises a friction brake for creating a variable amount offrictional resistance.
 14. The system as defined in claim 12 whereinsaid brake comprises a magnetic brake for creating a variable amount ofmagnetic resistance.
 15. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein saiddefined exercise track is endless.
 16. The system as defined in claim 1further comprising means for providing a downward force vector to ananimal wearing said harness means.
 17. The exercise system as defined inclaim 1 wherein at least one of said two restraining means comprises apropulsion device.
 18. An exercise system for training an animalcomprising:(a) two spaced-apart railings defining an exercise tracktherebetween; (b) two restraining means, each slidably carried by one ofsaid two spaced-apart railings, for providing a net restraining forceopposing movement of an animal on said exercise track, each of said tworestraining means having braking means for creating the net restrainingforce by variably resisting movement of one of said two restrainingmeans; (c) harness means attached to said two restraining means andadapted to be worn by an animal for conveying the net restraining forceto an animal moving on said exercise track; and (d) centering means foraligning the net restraining force generally parallel to the center lineof said two spaced-apart railings, said centering meanscomprising,detection means carried by said harness means for sensingforces perpendicular to said center line to said two spaced-apartrailings, transmission means carried by said harness means fortransmitting a signal to receiver means in at least one of said tworestraining means, said signal conveying data related to said locationto at least one of said two restraining means, and regulation meanscarried by at least one of said restraining means for variablyregulating the resistance provided by said braking means responsive tothe sensed perpendicular forces so that the net restraining force isaligned generally parallel to said center line.
 19. The system asdefined in claim 18 wherein said detection means comprises at lease onemoveable arm and means for detecting angular displacement of saidmoveable arm.
 20. The system as defined in claim 19 wherein saiddetection means further comprises swivel means for maintaining saidmoveable arm generally horizontal when said harness means is nothorizontal.
 21. The system as defined in claim 18 wherein said harnessmeans comprises a generally V-shaped rig adapted to be worn by an animalwith the distal ends thereof carried on the forward flanks of the animaland the apex carried rearwardly of the animal, and tether means attachedto said apex and to said two restraining means for conveying the netrestraining force.
 22. The system as defined in claim 21 wherein each ofsaid distal ends of said V-shaped rig comprises means for pivotably androtatably carrying said distal ends so that said apex remains relativelystable during movement of an animal wearing said harness means and sothat said distal ends conform to the flanks of the animal.
 23. Anexercise system for training an animal comprising:(a) two spaced-apartrailings defining an exercise track therebetween; (b) two restrainingmeans, each slidably carried by one of said two spaced-apart railings,for providing a net restraining force opposing movement of an animal onsaid exercise track, each of said two restraining means having brakingmeans for creating the net restraining force by variably resistingmovement of one of said two restraining means; (c) harness meansattached to said two restraining means and adapted to be worn by ananimal for conveying the net restraining force to an animal moving onsaid exercise track; and (d) centering means for aligning the netrestraining force generally parallel to the center line of said twospaced-apart railings, said centering means comprising,detection meanscarried by at least one of said two restraining means for providing asignal related to the location of an animal wearing said harness meansrelative to the center line of said two spaced-apart railings,regulation means carried by at least one of said two restraining meansfor variably regulating the resistance provided by one of said brakingmeans responsive to the provided signal so that the net restrainingforce is aligned generally parallel to said center line.
 24. The systemas defined in claim 23 wherein said detection means comprises a movablearm and means for detecting angular displacement of said movable arm,the angular displacement being related to the location of the animal.25. The system as defined in claim 24 wherein said harness meanscomprises a tether attached to said movable arm and carried by an animalon said exercise track so that movement of said movable arm is relatedto movement of an animal related to said two spaced-apart railings. 26.An exercise system for an animal moving on an exercise track comprisingmeans for providing a net restraining force that restrains an animalmoving on said exercise track, the direction of the net restrainingforce being generally parallel to the center line of said exercise trackwhen the animal is not moving on and generally parallel to said centerline.
 27. An exercise system for restraining an animal moving on anexercise track comprising:(a) two spaced-apart railings defining saidexercise track; and (b) means carried by each of said railings forproviding a net force parallel to the center line of said track andopposing the animal's motion.
 28. The system as defined in claim 27further comprising means for varying the magnitude of the net force whenan animal is moving on said track.
 29. The exercise system as defined inclaim 25 wherein said means for providing a force comprises a propulsiondevice.
 30. A system for restraining movement of an animal on anexercise track comprising:(a) a railing generally coincident with saidexercise track; (b) plural louvers in a frame slidably carried by saidrailing for providing aerodynamic drag to restrain an animal on saidexercise track; and (c) harness means attached to said frame and adaptedto be worn by an animal on said exercise track for conveying saidaerodynamic drag to an animal wearing said harness means.
 31. The systemas defined in claim 30 wherein said frame comprises means for adjustingthe angles of attack of said plural louvers.
 32. The system as definedin claim 31 wherein said frame further comprises means for providing asignal related to the location of an animal wearing said harness meansrelative to said railing, and means for adjusting the angles of attackof said plural louvers responsively to the provided signal.
 33. A systemfor restraining movement of an animal on an exercise trackcomprising:(a) a railing generally coincident with said exercise track;(b) restraining means carried by said railing for providing aerodynamicdrag to restrain an animal on said exercise track; and (c) harness meansattached to said restraining means and adapted to be worn by an animalon said exercise track for conveying said aerodynamic drag to an animalwearing said harness means.
 34. The system as defined in claim 33wherein said restraining means comprises means for adjusting thecoefficient of drag of said restraining means to vary the amount ofaerodynamic drag provided.
 35. In an exercise system that restrains ananimal moving on an exercise track the improvement comprising means forsubstantially reducing the net of forces perpendicular to the centerline of said exercise track when the animal is not moving parallel tothe center line.
 36. A method for conditioning an animal to run fastercomprising the steps of:(a) providing an exercise track for an animalbetween two spaced-apart railings; (b) slideably mounting a restrainingmeans on each of said two spaced-apart railings for providing a netrestraining force restraining movement of an animal on said track; (c)sensing forces perpendicular to said two spaced-apart railings; (d)resisting movement of at least one of said restraining means withbraking means responsive to said sensed perpendicular forces so that thedirection of the net restraining force is generally parallel to thecenter line of said exercise track; (e) attaching harness means to saidrestraining means and to an animal on said exercise track for conveyingthe net restraining force,whereby running movement of an animal in saidmeans is restrained by the net restraining force so that the animal isconditioned to run faster when not in said harness means.
 37. The methodas defined in claim 36 further comprising the step of variablycontrolling the resistance provided by said brake means so that themagnitude of the net restraining force is controlled.
 38. A method forincreasing the running speed of an animal comprising the steps of:(a)defining an exercise track for an animal; and (b) opposing runningmovement of an animal on said defined exercise track with a netrestraining force having a direction generally parallel to the centerline of said defined exercise track when an animal is not on and movinggenerally parallel to the center line of said defined exercisetrack,whereby running movement by an animal is opposed by the netrestraining force and the animal's running speed increases when notopposed by the net restraining force.
 39. A method for increasing therunning speed of an animal comprising the steps of:(a) defining anexercise track for an animal with two spaced-apart railings; and (b)opposing running movement of an animal on said defined exercise trackwith a restraint provided by braking means carried by each of saidrailings that create a net force parallel to the center line of saidexercise track and opposing the animal's motion.